Iberia Trip Report

Our much anticipated second trip to Spain and Portugal took place last week. Overall the trip was a huge success with three fantastic track days, warm sunny days and a fantastic atmosphere both on and off the track.

Estoril

On Sunday the picturesque seaside town of Cascais was our first stop in a stunning five star hotel over looking the old town and Atlantic coast. Those guests who had booked our hotel package were greeted with a fantastic gala dinner, which gave everybody the opportunity to socialise and get to know the BAT staff team.

The next day we took the short journey to the former Portuguese F1 circuit at Estoril. This fast and twisty circuit provided the perfect setting for our first track day of the trip. Although the circuit was not the favourite of the three it was perfectly suited to the smaller cars. The friendly circuit staff and excellent lunch provided made for a memorable event.

Portimao

On Tuesday we made the three hour journey towards the favourite circuit of last year's trip Portimao. During the afternoon everybody had the opportunity to either relax at the hotel or go and prepare for the next days at the circuit.

Wednesday's track day like last year didn't disappoint. The magnificent setting of the circuit with its huge elevation changes, blind crests and fast flowing corners meant there were many happy faces walking round the paddock. As at Estoril driving standards were exemplary with only a handful of short stoppages.

Unlike last year we were treated to a relaxing day off before travelling to Jerez. The five star Penina Golf Resort was the choice of many with the opportunity to play on its championship golf course, sun bathe by the pool or have a long lunch in on the patio. For those who wanted to get out and about numerous Algarve beach resorts were only a short drive away.

Jerez

For Saturday's track day at Jerez we had our hottest day of the trip yet. Driving the fantastic F1 test circuit through its fast flowing corners in the Spanish sunshine couldn't have been a better way to end the three track days. On this track day we were also treated to an amazing lunch provided by Sandra Gilbert, Amy Dick and few very helpful customers.

To finish the trip we held at drinks reception and finale dinner at our final hotel of the trip. This provided an excellent opportunity for all present to reminisce about the fantastic week we'd had and start planning for future events. During this dinner we distributed a questionnaire to assess how the track days, hotel package and overall trip had been received. For those of you interested in the results of this questionnaire and the event debrief Jonny has put together please click on the following LINK.

Our week of Iberian track days, sun and socialising had been delcared an overwhelming success. Whilst there were a few track cars in need of a little TLC and a few guests and staff members who were in need of a good nights sleep - the overwhelming notion was 'can we do this more often please'.

In Pictures

Richard Williams driving one our R300's at Estoril, the view from our Cascais hotel over the Atlantic at sunset, two Porsche GT3's enjoying a quiet Portimao and the drinks reception on the final night. Please view our facebook page HERE for more pictures of the trip.